Systems and Methods for Integrating Three-Dimensional Virtualization Systems with Transaction Systems

This disclosure is related to systems, methods, and techniques for generating three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments that enable collaboration among a plurality of virtual participants. In certain embodiments, a 3D engine generates transactional infographics based on a virtual user's transaction data, inserts the transactional infographics into a virtual environment, and configures the transactional infographics to display data visualizations related to the transaction data. Additionally, in some embodiments, the transactional infographics and/or other features of the virtual environment also can be configured with functionalities that enable electronic transactions to be initiated or executed directly within the virtual environment.

In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions, or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

In recent years, global pandemics and societal influences have forced mobility restrictions worldwide and changed the manner in which meeting, learning, shopping, and working take place. This growing trend has placed a greater importance on remote collaboration and interactions. Various solutions are already available in the market to enable real-time communication and collaboration, ranging from chat applications to video telephony, such as Skype™ and Zoom™ or virtual offices for remote teams represented by 2D avatars, such as those provided by Pragli™.

Other potential solutions to accommodate this growing trend include usage of wearable immersive technologies (e.g., augmented and/or virtual reality solutions). However, given the current state of development of wearable immersive technologies and the relatively low technological appropriation rate, these wearable immersive technologies are used to a much lesser extent. Rather, most remote technology solutions include a flat, two-dimensional (2D) user interface that provides end-users with opportunities to interact or collaborate. However, these 2D environments are plagued with various deficiencies, such as low levels of realism, lack of user presence, and lack of shared space. Additionally, most of these 2D solutions are configured solely with communication capabilities and, thus, require end-users to share screens or utilize separate applications to effectively relay information or collaborate during remote collaboration sessions. Moreover, compared to real-life (or in-person) collaboration or interactions, the quality of interactions using 2D solutions can contribute to a feeling of dullness or boredom for many users, which, in turn, can result in a lower productivity or diminished collaboration.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a technological framework that enables end-users to remotely interact and collaborate in a virtual environment that provides a feeling of realism akin to in-person interactions without being required to purchase expensive immersive technology equipment (e.g., as in head-mounted displays). Additionally, there is a need for a technological framework that enables end-users to initiate or execute electronic transactions directly within a virtual environment, without the need to access, launch or utilize separate applications to facilitate the electronic transactions.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass or include one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure generally relates to technological frameworks for facilitating collaboration in three-dimensional (3D) virtual environments and executing or initiating electronic transactions within the 3D virtual environments. In certain embodiments, a virtual transaction platform comprises a virtualization system that is adapted to render 3D virtual environments in which end-users can collaborate and interact with each other, and a transaction system that facilitates access to transaction data and processes electronic transactions based on interactions within the 3D virtual environments. In contrast to many traditional 2D remote solutions, the virtual transaction platform facilitates collaboration and interactions among remote participants in a 3D setting that is akin to real-world or in-person meetings, and permits electronic transactions to be executed or initiated directly within a 3D virtual environment without having to access or launch separate applications.

In some embodiments, the virtualization system comprises a 3D engine that is configured to generate, create, and/or render a virtual environment by generating objects (e.g., 2D or 3D objects) corresponding to virtual user representations and transactional infographics, and integrating those objects into a virtual scene. The 3D engine can receive and process data from various sources to render a virtual environment. For example, the 3D engine can be adapted to receive and process image data, such as real-time audio/video streams, from computing devices associated with end-users to generate and insert virtual user representations corresponding to the end-users into a virtual scene. Additionally, the 3D engine can be adapted to receive and process transaction data from a transaction system to generate and insert infographics into the virtual scene. The 3D engine also can access scene configuration data (e.g., data identifying dimensions of a virtual room, stationary virtual objects to be included in the scene, virtual camera perspective information etc.) that aids the 3D engine in creating the background or setting associated with the virtual scene and configuring virtual camera viewing perspectives for displaying the virtual scene on computing devices operated by end-users. The 3D engine can integrate the virtual user representations, infographics, and scene configuration data to create a virtual environment in which the end-users view, access, and manipulate the transaction data, and execute or initiate electronic transactions corresponding to the transaction data. The virtual environment can be transmitted to, or accessed by, the computing devices operated by the end-users.

During a given virtual session, the end-users (or corresponding virtual user representations) can interact with one or more infographics integrated into the virtual environment in various ways. In some examples, an infographic can be generated based, at least in part, on the transaction data associated with an end-user (e.g., a client end-user) that is received from the transaction system. The infographic can comprise one or more objects that visualize or summarize the transaction data associated with the end-user (e.g., using 3D graphs, data plots, graphical illustrations, etc.). Additionally, the infographic can comprise one or more objects that display or visualize analytics related to an end-user's transaction data (e.g., analytics that assess risks associated with the transaction data, generate projections or predictions related to the transaction data, display recommendations related to the transaction data, etc.). Further, in some embodiments, the infographics (and/or other virtual objects) included in the virtual environment can enable the virtual participants to initiate and/or execute various types of electronic transactions. As explained in further detail below, the types of electronic transactions can vary depending on the products or services associated with the transaction system (or the products or services offered by a provider of the transaction system).

The virtualization technologies described herein have wide applicability and can be utilized across various types of transaction systems. In some non-limiting examples, the transaction system can correspond to an electronic banking system and/or electronic financial services system that stores financial transaction data (e.g., bank account information, asset allocations, stock portfolios, retirement funds, etc.) of client end-users. The 3D engine can access this financial transaction information from a financial transaction system, and incorporate the financial transaction data into infographics that visualize the client end-users' financials in a 3D virtual environment. The 3D engine can further generate infographics that display analytics (e.g., risk exposure, projections, predictions, etc.) and/or recommendations related to the end-use's financial transaction data. Additionally, the infographics and/or other components in the virtual environment can be configured with functionalities that enable the end-users (e.g., platform end-users) to initiate or execute electronic transactions related to the financial transaction data. Exemplary electronic transactions can be executed to send, receive, or transfer money, adjust investment allocations, apply for loans or credit lines, etc.

The virtual transaction system described herein can be deployed in various configurations. In some examples, the virtualization system and transaction system may represent separate systems that are stored on separate servers and/or maintained by separate entities. In this scenario, one entity may be the provider of the virtualization system and a separate entity may be the provider of the transaction system, and these systems can be configured to communicate with each other over a network using one or more application programing interfaces (APIs). In other examples, the virtualization system and the transaction system can be provided by a single entity that operates or manages both systems. In this scenario, both the virtualization system and the transaction system may be hosted by the same server system and/or may be communicate with each other via an intranet or internal network that that is maintained by the entity. Other deployment configurations also may be utilized.

In some embodiments, the virtual transaction platform can further include, or communicate with, an access control system that enforces access privileges on end-users participating a live 3D session hosted by the virtualization system. The access control system adds a security layer to the 3D environments to prevent unauthorized access to the transaction data stored by the transaction system and/or ensures that electronic transactions are only initiated or executed by authorized end-users. Enforcing appropriate access privileges on the end-user participants can be particularly important in scenarios where the transaction data comprises sensitive information (e.g., such as financial information or personal identifiable information). Further details of the access control system are discussed below.

The technologies described herein provide a variety of benefits and advantages. Amongst other things, the virtual transaction system facilitates collaborations and/or interactions in a 3D virtual environment in a manner that is similar to real-world or in-person interactions and without requiring end-users to purchase expensive immersive technology equipment. Additionally, in contrast to traditional remote collaboration systems, the transaction data associated with an end-user (e.g., client end-user) can be visualized or displayed directly within the virtual environment and does not need to be conveyed using screen sharing functions or by transmitting the transaction data via separate applications (e.g., such as email applications or cloud storage applications). Similarly, one or more of the end-users can access functionalities directly within the virtual environment (in some cases, functionalities that are integrated with the infographics) to initiate or execute electronic transactions (again, without having to open or use separate applications).

The technologies discussed herein can be used in a variety of different contexts and environments. One useful application of these technologies is in the context of providing a 3D virtual environment that permits collaboration and execution of electronic transactions in connection with providing banking or financial services. Another useful application is in the context of providing a 3D virtual environment that permits collaboration and execution of electronic transactions in connection with providing healthcare services. Another useful application is in the context of providing a 3D virtual environment that permits collaboration and execution of electronic transactions in connection with providing real estate or mortgage services. Another useful application is in the context of providing a 3D virtual environment that permits collaboration and execution of electronic transactions in connection with providing education services. While certain examples in disclosure describe embodiments where these technologies are applied to banking or financial services, it will be evident that the technologies described herein can be applied across many other contexts and environments as well.

In some embodiments, a computerized method is provided for facilitating collaboration and presentation of transaction data in a virtual environment. The method comprises: receiving, by a virtualization system, a first connection request over a network from a first client device operated by a client end-user; receiving, by the virtualization system, first image data over the network from the first client device corresponding to the client end-user; receiving, by a virtualization system, a second connection request over the network from a second client device operated by a platform end-user; receiving, by the virtualization system, second image data over the network from the second client device corresponding to the platform end-user; accessing, by the virtualization system, transaction data corresponding to the client end-user; generating, by a three-dimensional (3D) engine associated with the virtualization system, a 3D virtual environment in which the client end-user and platform end-user can collaborate in connection with the with the transaction data, wherein generating the 3D virtual environment includes: (i) generating, by the 3D engine, a first virtual user representation corresponding to the client end-user based, at least in part, on the first image data; (ii) generating, by the 3D engine, a second virtual user representation corresponding to the platform end-user based, at least in part, on the second image data; (iii) generating, by the 3D engine, one or more transactional infographics based, at least in part, on the transaction data; and (iv) incorporating the first virtual user representation, the second virtual user representation, and the one or more transactional infographics into the 3D virtual environment; and providing the first client device and the second client device with access to the 3D virtual environment over the network.

In certain embodiments, a system comprises one or more processing devices and one or more non-transitory memory devices for storing instructions, and execution of the instructions by the one or more processing devices causes the one or more computing devices to perform the aforementioned method.

In certain embodiments, the virtualization system can be configured to initiate or execute an electronic transaction in response to one or more interactions within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, the virtualization system is in communication with a transaction system that stores the transaction data corresponding to the client end-user, the transaction system comprises an application programming interface (API), and the virtualization system communicates with the transaction system via the API to access the transaction data corresponding to the client end-user and to initiate or execute the electronic transaction.

In certain embodiments, the one or more transactional infographics are configured to present one or more data visualizations associated with the transaction data within the 3D virtual environment, the one or more data visualizations each include one or more objects or multimedia content, and generating the one or more data visualizations comprises customizing the one or more objects or the multimedia content, at least in part, using the transaction data.

In certain embodiments, the one or more transactional infographics are configured to present an asset data visualization, and generating the asset data visualization comprises configuring the one or more objects or the multimedia content to present a summary of the transaction data within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, the one or more transactional infographics are configured to present a performance data visualization, and generating the performance data visualization comprises integrating historical asset data into the one or more objects or the multimedia content presented within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, the one or more transactional infographics are configured to present a recommendation data visualization, and generating the recommendation data visualization comprises configuring the one or more objects or the multimedia content to present recommendations specified by the platform end-user within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, the one or more transactional infographics are configured to present a projection data visualization and a risk data visualization, and generating the projection data visualization and the risk data visualization comprises integrating asset analytics data into the one or more objects or the multimedia content presented within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, an access control system associated with the virtualization system is configured to assign access privileges to each end-user that accesses the 3D virtual environment, including the client end-user and the platform end-user.

In certain embodiments, the access privileges control permissions of the client end-user and the platform end-user within the 3D virtual environment, including permissions related to viewing or accessing the transaction data within the 3D virtual environment and permissions related to initiating or executing electronics within the 3D virtual environment.

In certain embodiments, the 3D engine is configured to execute generative artificial intelligence (AI) functions to generate the first virtual user representation, the second virtual user representation, the one or more transactional infographics, or a virtual scene for the 3D virtual environment.

It should be understood that the various individual aspects and features of the present invention described herein can be combined with any one or more individual aspect or feature, in any number, to form embodiments of the present invention that are specifically contemplated and encompassed by the present invention. Furthermore, any of the features recited in the claims can be combined with any of the other features recited in the claims, in any number or in any combination thereof. Such combinations are also expressly contemplated as being encompassed by the present invention.

Moreover, any of the embodiments described herein may be hardware-based, may be software-based, or, preferably, may comprise a mixture of both hardware and software elements. Thus, while the description herein may describe certain embodiments, features, or components as being implemented in software or hardware, it should be recognized that any embodiment, feature and/or component referenced in this disclosure can be implemented in hardware and/or software

Computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions configured to cause one or more computers to perform any of the methods described herein are also described.

The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that the disclosure includes all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below, and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows below.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “rear,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

As used herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.

Certain data or functions may be described as “real-time,” “near real-time,” or “substantially real-time” within this disclosure. Any of these terms can refer to data or functions that are processed with a humanly imperceptible delay or minimal humanly perceptible delay. Alternatively, these terms can refer to data or functions that are processed within a specific time interval (e.g., in the order of milliseconds).

In the following description, reference is made to drawings which show by way of illustration various embodiments. Also, various embodiments will be described below by referring to several examples. It is to be understood that the embodiments may include changes in design and structure without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter.

is a diagram of an exemplary systemA in accordance with certain embodiments.is a diagram of an exemplary systemB arranged in a first deployment configuration in accordance with certain embodiments.is a diagram of an exemplary systemC arranged in a second deployment configuration in accordance with certain embodiments.are jointly discussed below.

The system (A,B,C) comprises one or more client devices(which, in some cases, can include client devicesA,B, andC) and one or more servers(which, in some cases, can include cloud serversA and/or transaction system serversB) that are in communication over a network. A virtual transaction platformis stored on, and executed by, the one or more servers. The networkmay represent any type of communication network, e.g., such as one that comprises a local area network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network), a personal area network (e.g., a Bluetooth network), a wide area network, an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a television network, and/or other types of networks.

All the components illustrated in, including the client devices(e.g., client devicesA,B, andC), servers(e.g., cloud serversA and transaction system serversB), and virtual transaction platformcan be configured to communicate directly with each other and/or over the networkvia wired or wireless communication links, or a combination of the two. Each of the client devices, servers, and virtual transaction platformcan include one or more communication devices, one or more memory devices, and one or more processing devicesthat are capable of executing computer program instructions.

The one or more processing devicesmay include one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more controllers, one or more complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessors, one or more reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessors, one or more very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessors, one or more graphics processor units (GPU), one or more digital signal processors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and/or any other type of processor or processing circuit capable of performing desired functions. The one or more processing devicescan be configured to execute any computer program instructions that are stored or included on the one or more memory devicesincluding, but not limited to, instructions associated with executing functions associated with generating 3D virtual environments and conducting electronic transactions.

The one or more memory devicesmay include (i) non-volatile memory, such as, for example, read only memory (ROM) and/or (ii) volatile memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM). The non-volatile memory may be removable and/or non-removable non-volatile memory. Meanwhile, RAM may include dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), etc. Further, ROM may include mask-programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), one-time programmable ROM (OTP), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) (e.g., electrically alterable ROM (EAROM) and/or flash memory), etc. In certain embodiments, the memory devicesmay be physical, non-transitory mediums. The one or more memory devicescan store instructions associated with generating 3D virtual environments and conducting electronic transactions.

Each of the one or more communication devices can include wired and wireless communication devices and/or interfaces that enable communications using wired and/or wireless communication techniques. Wired and/or wireless communication can be implemented using any one or combination of wired and/or wireless communication network topologies (e.g., ring, line, tree, bus, mesh, star, daisy chain, hybrid, etc.) and/or protocols (e.g., personal area network (PAN) protocol(s), local area network (LAN) protocol(s), wide area network (WAN) protocol(s), cellular network protocol(s), powerline network protocol(s), etc.). Exemplary PAN protocol(s) can comprise Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Z-Wave, etc. Exemplary LAN and/or WAN protocol(s) can comprise Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 (also known as Ethernet), IEEE 802.11 (also known as WiFi), etc. Exemplary wireless cellular network protocol(s) can comprise Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN), Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, etc. The specific communication software and/or hardware can depend on the network topologies and/or protocols implemented. In certain embodiments, exemplary communication hardware can comprise wired communication hardware including, but not limited to, one or more data buses, one or more universal serial buses (USBs), one or more networking cables (e.g., one or more coaxial cables, optical fiber cables, twisted pair cables, and/or other cables). Further exemplary communication hardware can comprise wireless communication hardware including, for example, one or more radio transceivers, one or more infrared transceivers, etc. Additional exemplary communication hardware can comprise one or more networking components (e.g., modulator-demodulator components, gateway components, etc.). In certain embodiments, the one or more communication devices can include one or more transceiver devices, each of which includes a transmitter and a receiver for communicating wirelessly. The one or more communication devices also can include one or more wired ports (e.g., Ethernet ports, USB ports, auxiliary ports, etc.) and related cables and wires (e.g., Ethernet cables, USB cables, auxiliary wires, etc.).

In certain embodiments, the one or more communication devices additionally, or alternatively, can include one or more modem devices, one or more router devices, one or more access points, and/or one or more mobile hot spots. For example, modem devices may enable the client devices, server(s), and/or virtual transaction platformto be connected to the Internet and/or other networks. The modem devices can permit bi-directional communication between the Internet (and/or other network) and the client devices, server(s), and/or virtual transaction platform. In certain embodiments, one or more router devices and/or access points may enable the client devices, server(s), and/or virtual transaction platformto be connected to a LAN and/or other more other networks. In certain embodiments, one or more mobile hot spots may be configured to establish a LAN (e.g., a Wi-Fi network) that is linked to another network (e.g., a cellular network). The mobile hot spot may enable the client devices, server(s), and/or virtual transaction platformto access the Internet and/or other networks.

In certain embodiments, the client devices(including client devicesA,B, andC) may represent desktop computers, laptop computers, mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, personal digital assistants, tablet devices, vehicular computing devices, wearable devices, or any other device that is mobile in nature), and/or other types of devices. The one or more servers(including cloud serversA and/or transaction system serversB) may generally represent any type of computing device, including any of the client devicesmentioned above. In some embodiments, the one or more serversalso can comprise one or more mainframe computing devices and/or one or more virtual servers that are executed in a cloud-computing environment. Additionally, in some embodiments, the one or more serverscan be configured to execute web servers and can communicate with the client devicesand/or other devices over the network(e.g., over the Internet).

In certain embodiments, the virtual transaction platformcan be stored on, and executed by, the one or more servers. Additionally, or alternatively, the virtual transaction platformcan be stored on, and executed by, the one or more client devices. The virtual transaction platformcan be stored on, and executed, by other devices as well.

In some embodiments, the virtual transaction platform(or certain components associated therewith) also can be stored as a local application (e.g., such as client application) on a client device, or integrated with a local application stored on a client device, to implement the techniques and functions described herein. In some instances, a client applicationstored on a client device can include a mobile application, desktop application, and/or web browser.

In some embodiments, the functionalities performed by the virtual transaction platformdescribed herein can be implemented by one or more front-end applications executed on client devicesoperated by end-users and one or more back-end applications executed on one or more servers. In this scenario, the client applicationmay serve as a front-end application that accesses one or more back-end applications stored on, and executed by, the one or more servers. Any functionality associated with the virtual transaction platformdescribed herein can be executed by either a front-end application or a back-end application, or jointly by both applications.

Regardless of its implementation, the virtual transaction platformcan include one or more virtualization systemsand one or more transaction systems. For purposes of simplicity, certain portions of this disclosure may describe the virtual transaction platformas including a single virtualization systemand a single transaction system. However, it should be understood the virtual transaction platformcan include any number of virtualization systemsand any number of transaction systems.

As explained in further detail below, the virtualization systemcan execute functions associated with generating 3D virtual environmentsthat simulate real-life settings in which end-userscan meet and interact with each other to discuss the transaction dataand/or initiate or execute various electronic transactionson behalf of one or more end-user. In doing so, the virtualization systemmay communicate with the transaction systemto access the transaction data, incorporate the transaction datainto transactional infographicspresented within the 3D virtual environments, and initiate or execute electronic transactionsrelated to the transaction data.

The transaction infographicsincorporated into the 3D virtual environmentscan generally include any object or digital representation related to, or derived from, transaction dataobtained from the transaction system. The transaction infographicscan be presented in various formats or configurations. In some examples, a transaction infographiccan include one or more 2D objects, one or more 3D objects, one or more images, one or more graphics, one or more animations, one or more videos, and/or one or more textual strings that present transaction dataand/or information associated with the transaction data.